As tumultuous a year it has been for the Rutgers University-Camden community, the campus — happily still a vital part of the university — celebrated the institution’s 246th birthday Friday.

For the better part of this year, the campus was in talks to be consumed by Rowan University by way of an ambiguous merger proposal rolled out by Gov. Chris Christie.

Instead, after much outcry and resistance from the Rutgers-Camden faculty and students, the two institutions have become partners as part of a historic higher education restructuring bill.

And like many at the Rutgers-Camden campus had hoped, they have maintained the Rutgers brand and they have remained in Camden, where they applauded the university’s long history with a series of events and a massive amount of cake.

“We’ve had a lot of great days this fall and this is one of them,” said Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Wendell E. Pritchett. “It wasn’t a very good spring, but there’s a good feeling on campus today.”

Now that the campus can leave its more nerve-wracking days in the past, Pritchett said they look forward to drawing in more prospective students, expanding the school’s reach and continuing to deliver the same quality education it has for some time now.

Rutgers-Camden students Ted Johnson, 20, and David Pipolo, 18, right, greet the the scarlet raptor during Rutgers-Camden Day and the school's birthday celebration, Friday, November 9, 2012. They are from Woodbury. (Staff Photo by Tim Hawk/South Jersey Times)

Sophomore Felicia Robinson and her friend were Rossina Cruz, a freshman, were among the scores of students partaking in the birthday festivities on Friday.

“I was a little concerned, but I’m happy we’re still Rutgers,” Robinson said.

Similarly, Cruz was on edge about what the school’s future in Camden would be, if any.

“I was nervous, but I think the right choice was made,” Cruz said. “I think it’s a big deal that we’re here today. It shows how the college is progressing after so many years.”

Woodbury native Ted Johnson, also a recent city council candidate from his hometown, said he always believed the proposed merger was too politically-motivated and is glad it never came to fruition.

“We’re very glad that Rutgers is still Rutgers,” Johnson said. “I think it’s good that we have Rutgers in Camden. It’s a small campus, but it’s affordable. Things are the way they should be.”